Cherokee Animal Hospital is an independent veterinary practice in Canton, Georgia, United States.[1][2] It serves pet owners in Canton, Woodstock and the greater Cherokee County area,[3] providing wellness examinations, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, diagnostics, boarding and behavioral consultations for dogs and cats, along with alternative therapies such as acupuncture and laser therapy.[4] In 2026 it was named Best Veterinarian Practice in the Best of Cherokee Awards, a community-voted program of the Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News.[4]
History
Cherokee Animal Hospital is owned by veterinarian Chris Bryant, a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the Auburn University veterinary program.[6] Jedidiah Green, a Cherokee County native and 2003 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, joined the practice in the fall of 2021 and is listed as an owner and veterinarian.[6] The hospital's earlier clinic was a house about 70 years old, which it later replaced with its current facility.[7]
After a period of growth that strained the capacity of its original building, the practice completed a three-year renovation of an adjacent property on its Canton site, choosing to rehabilitate the neighboring building instead of relocating. The work included foundation repairs, new windows, doors, roofing and gutters, reframing of the lower level and an exterior metal staircase required by fire safety rules. The building, informally called "Cherokee Animal Hospital Junior," was shown to the public at an open house on November 8, 2025.[3] It contains four exam rooms, including a room for cats only, along with a flex space and a combined treatment, laboratory and pharmacy area.[7]
In March 2026 the hospital was named Best Veterinarian Practice in the 2026 Best of Cherokee Awards, for which residents of Cherokee County voted daily between January 26 and February 13, 2026.[4] In September 2026 it opened the expanded building with dedicated cat-only waiting rooms, which the hospital said were intended to keep feline patients apart from dogs and other animals before examinations.[1]
Services
The hospital provides wellness examinations, vaccinations, dental care, spaying and neutering and other surgical procedures, and diagnostics including digital radiography, ultrasound and in-house laboratory testing.[4][1] It also offers boarding for dogs and cats supervised by veterinary staff, behavioral consultations, and alternative therapies including acupuncture and laser therapy.[4][8] Surgical patients are monitored by a full-time anesthesia nurse, and the facility includes an on-site laboratory and pharmacy.[7]
The hospital sees emergencies during its business hours but is not open around the clock; after hours, it refers patients to local emergency clinics.[9]
Dentistry
Dental care is performed under anesthesia and includes examination, digital dental radiography and cleaning above and below the gum line.[10][7] In a July 2026 statement, the hospital described professional dental care under anesthesia as its standard of care and said that anesthesia-free cleanings do not address disease below the gum line.[10]
Feline care
The hospital's approach to cats includes a dedicated cat exam room furnished with blankets and hiding spots, and the use of calming pheromones and music in exam rooms.[5] Its cat boarding condos are kept in rooms separate from the dog kennels.[7] The cat-only waiting rooms opened in 2026 grew out of several years of feedback from clients and staff, according to Bryant, and the expanded building accommodates several veterinarians who treat cats.[1]
Independent practice
Cherokee Animal Hospital describes itself as an independent veterinary practice and displays the logo of the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association (IVPA) and the #VetLocal tag at the hospital and on its website and social media.[5][11]
Visits
Clients call the hospital when they arrive and are directed to the appropriate building and exam room when staff are ready, a protocol that continues in the expanded building, whose exam rooms clients can enter directly.[3] Appointments, prescription refill requests, reminders and vaccine records are available through the PetDesk app.[2]
References
- ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ "Cherokee Animal Hospital Introduces Cat-Only Waiting Rooms and Expanded Cat Veterinarian Services." Star Tribune, September 29, 2026. financialcontent.com. Also published by Business Insurance: businessinsurance.com
- ^ ^ ^ "Cherokee Animal Hospital: Veterinarian in Canton, Georgia." Cherokee Animal Hospital. cherokeeanimalhospital.com
- ^ ^ ^ ^ "Cherokee Animal Hospital Expands Veterinary Services with New Canton Facility." Star Tribune, December 3, 2025. financialcontent.com. Also published by Business Insurance: businessinsurance.com
- ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ "Cherokee Animal Hospital Named Best Veterinarian Practice in 2026 Cherokee Tribune Awards." Star Tribune, March 7, 2026. financialcontent.com. Also published by Business Insurance: businessinsurance.com
- ^ ^ ^ "Why Choose Us?" Cherokee Animal Hospital. cherokeeanimalhospital.com
- ^ ^ ^ "Meet the Veterinarians." Cherokee Animal Hospital. cherokeeanimalhospital.com
- ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ "Animal Hospital Tour." Cherokee Animal Hospital. cherokeeanimalhospital.com
- ^ "Alternative Therapies." Cherokee Animal Hospital. cherokeeanimalhospital.com
- ^ "Emergency Vet Services." Cherokee Animal Hospital. cherokeeanimalhospital.com
- ^ ^ "Cherokee Animal Hospital Emphasizes Critical Role of Professional Dentistry for Pets in Preventing Pain and Disease." Star Tribune, July 6, 2026. financialcontent.com. Also published by Business Insurance: businessinsurance.com
- ^ "IVPA: Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association." Cherokee Animal Hospital. cherokeeanimalhospital.com